Dillas lower magic number to 2 with win

The Dillas haven't done that, but they've won most. And they won another one Wednesday night and maintained their lead atop the United League Baseball standings with a 6-2 victory in front of 3,541 fans at the Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa.

The win, coupled with Alexandria's loss to San Angelo, lowers the Dillas magic number for clinching the first-half title to two.

Amarillo left fielder Keith Brachold said the Dillas focus is on maintaining the success that's put them in position to clinch a playoff berth by winning the first half of the season.

"We took good at bats at the plate, scored runs when we needed to and our pitching was excellent," he said. "We're not relaxing in this league. This team is going to keep slugging until the ninth inning."

Jonathan Reynoso put the Dillas on the board in the third, scoring from third on an RBI double by Brachold. Amarillo added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth as A.J. Johnson scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Wong to give the Dillas a 2-0 lead.

Amarillo doubled its lead in the fifth as Justin Wenger and Josh Ashton each scored for the Dillas, bringing the score to 4-0.

Harlingen cut into the Dillas lead in the sixth when Brian Nichols opened the inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Argelis Nunez. The Dillas responded in their half of the frame, regaining their four-run lead after Danny Bravo scored on an RBI single by Stephen Douglas.

Dillas manager Brady Bogart said the Dillas were able to get the most out of their players in the series finale.

"Tonight was a big game," he said. "We got a big hit early on by Steven Douglas and then Josh Smith came in on two days rest and pitched quality innings to give our bullpen some rest."

n Why the Dillas won: Three Dillas finished with extra base hits as Brachold had two doubles, while A.J. Johnson and Josh Ashton each had RBI doubles as well.

n How the starters pitched:

WhiteWings: Jorge Lugo: Took the loss for Harlingen after allowing six hits in five innings allowing four runs and one walk with four strikeouts and two wild pitches.

Dillas: Ron Lowe: Struck out eight batters with one walk in five innings, allowing two hits and no runs to notch the win.

n Three stars:

1. Keith Brachold, Amarillo: The Dillas No. 2 hitter finished with two doubles and two RBIs for Amarillo.

2. Jonathan Reynoso, Amarillo: Scored Amarillo's first run of the game after drawing a walk, then stealing second and advancing to third on an error. Reynoso scored his second run in the sixth to give the Dillas a 6-1 lead.

3. Brian Nichols, Harlingen: Scored the WhiteWings lone run after getting on base with a triple in the sixth.

n Circling the bases: After loading the bases with one out in the top of the third inning, Amarillo starter Lowe struck out the next two batters to keep the score tied at 0-0 going into the Dillas' half of the frame.